Method and device for high resolution acousto-optic programmable filtering in the infrared region

ABSTRACT

The subject matter of the invention is a method of high-resolution acousto-optic programmable filtering in the infrared region of an incident optical wave. To that end it proposes the use of a birefringent acousto-optic crystal whereof the propagation speed of acoustic waves is slow, such as compounds of mercury, which acousto-optic crystal comprises, on one of its faces, a piezoelectric transducer designed to generate a transverse acoustic wave with wave vector whereof the energy propagates according to the same axis but in the opposite direction to the energy of the incident optical wave, knowing that the optical wave resulting from the acousto-optic interaction between the incident optical wave and the acoustic wave with wave vector is diffracted perpendicularly or almost perpendicularly to the direction of the incident optical wave.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and a device for high-resolution acousto-optic programmable filtering in the infrared region.

This method applies in particular to acousto-optic programmable filtering for the mid-infrared region ranging from a wavelength λ in vacuum of 5 to 20 μm.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The transparency window of TeO₂, which extends from 0.35 to 4.5 μm, does not allow development of an Acousto-Optic Programmable Filter (AOPDF) for the mid-infrared region ranging from 5 to 20 μm, such as that described in the article published in the journal J. Phys. France 12 (2002) Pr. 69/75: “Theory and Performance of the Acousto-Optic Programmable Dispersive Filter used for Femtosecond Laser Pulse Shaping”.

Generally, it is known that the best materials for such an application are compounds of mercury such as Hg₂Cl₂, Hg₂Br₂ and Hg₂I₂. Amongst these materials, only calomel (Hg₂Cl₂) is today capable of industrial use.

In this wavelength range of 5 to 20 μm, calomel, which is a uniaxial birefringent crystal, is only slightly dispersive. Its ordinary index n₀ is close to 1.898 and its extraordinary index n_(e) on the axis [110] is close to 2.445. The propagation speed of transverse acoustic waves is very slow on the axis [110] (V₁₁₀=347 m/s) and much faster on the axis [001] (V₀₀₁=1084 m/s).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the invention is a method of high-resolution acousto-optic programmable filtering in the infrared region of an incident optical wave; to that end it proposes the use of a birefringent acousto-optic crystal whereof the propagation speed of acoustic waves is slow, such as compounds of mercury, which acousto-optic crystal comprises, on one of its faces, a piezoelectric transducer designed to generate a transverse acoustic wave whereof the energy propagates according to the same axis but in the opposite direction to the energy of the incident optical wave, knowing that the optical wave resulting from the acousto-optic interaction between said incident optical wave and said acoustic wave is diffracted perpendicularly or almost perpendicularly to the direction of said incident optical wave.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More precisely, the acousto-optic interaction used is such that the direction of the acoustic and ordinary optical beams, characterised by their energy directions defined by the Poynting vectors, is identical. The beams are collinear energy-wise in order to maximise the length of the acousto-optic interaction. Under these conditions, the effective acousto-optic coefficient p for calomel is given by:

p=−½(p ₁₁ −p ₁₂). sin θ₀. cos θ_(a) +p ₄₄. cos θ₀. sin θ_(a)   (equation 1)

where for p₁₁=0.551, p12=0.44, p44 to be defined,

and where tan θ_(a)=(V ₁₁₀ /V ₀₀₁)². tan θ₀   (equation 2)

and the figure of merit M₂, which characterises the diffraction efficiency is given by:

M ₂ =n ₀ ³ .[n _(d)(θ_(d))]³ .p ² /ρ.[V(θ_(a))]³   (equation 3)

In these equations, ρ is the density of calomel equal to 7.19 g/cm³, θ₀ is the angle made by the incident ordinary optical wave vector with the axis [110], θ_(d) the angle made by the diffracted extraordinary optical wave vector with the axis [110], and θ_(a) the angle made by the acoustic wave vector with the axis [110]. Furthermore, n_(d)(θ_(d)) and V(θ_(a)) are given by:

n _(d)(θ_(d))=n ₀ .n _(e) /[n _(o) ² cos² θ_(d) +n _(e) ² sin² θ_(d)]^(1/2)   (equation 4)

V(θ_(a))=[V² ₁₁₀ cos² θ_(a) +V ² ₀₀₁ sin² θ_(a)]^(1/2)   (equation 5)

In the case of calomel, for optical wavelengths lying between 5 and 20 μm, the figure of merit M₂ passes through a maximum for θ₀=52°, θ_(a)=7.47° and p₄₄=0.

Thus, frequency or optical wavelength filters, with a high spectral resolution, can be constructed by acoustic diffraction of the incident ordinary optical beam according to a diffracted extraordinary optical beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the method according to the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of the optical and acoustic slowness curves defining the composition of the acoustic wave vectors according to two solutions referred to as “low frequency” and “high frequency”;

FIG. 2 depicts the variation of the product (f.λ) as a function of θ₀ in the case of the so-called “low frequency” solution, f being the frequency of the acoustic wave;

FIG. 3 depicts the variation of the product (f.λ) as a function of θ₀ in the case of the so-called “high frequency” solution;

FIG. 4 depicts the angular deviations (θ_(d)−θ₀) as a function of θ₀ respectively in the case of the so-called “low frequency” solution and in the case of the so-called “high frequency” solution;

FIG. 5 depicts the variation of the figure of merit M₂ as a function of θ₀ for optical wavelengths lying between 5 and 20 μm, for the so-called “low frequency” and “high frequency” solutions; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic depiction of an Acousto-Optic Programmable Filter structure for the infrared region.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the example depicted in FIG. 1, the schematic depiction of the optical slowness curves (upper dials) and the acoustic slowness curve (lower dials) shows, in the orthonormal system defined by the axes [110] and [001] of the birefringent crystal, that two solutions are possible which lead to acoustic wave vectors K=2πf/V(θ_(a)) of very different lengths and therefore very different acoustic frequencies f.

In the visible and near infrared region, where the acousto-optic material of choice is TeO₂, only the short vector K can be used since the long vector corresponds to very high acoustic frequencies which are absorbed in the material.

In the mid-infrared region, where the material of choice may be calomel whereof the acoustic propagation speed is very slow, both solutions for the vector K can be used.

These solutions are as follows:

K _(1,2) /k ₀={±[ cos(θ₀−θ_(a))+2δ sin θ₀ sin θ_(a)]+(1+2δ)^(1/2).[ cos²(θ₀−θ_(a))+2δ sin² θ_(a)]^(1/2)}/[1+2δ sin² θ_(a)]  (equation 6)

Where:

k ₀=2πn ₀/λ,

2δ=(n _(e) ² −n _(o) ²)/n _(o) ²,

knowing that 2δ is approximately equal to 0.6595 for calomel and wavelengths lying between 5 and 20 μm.

The acoustic frequencies are then given by:

f _(1,2) =[n ₀ V(θ_(a))/λ].{±[ cos(θ₀−θ_(a))+2δ sin θ₀ sin θ_(a)]+(1+2δ)^(1/2).[ cos²(θ₀−θ_(a))+2δ sin² θ_(a)]^(1/2)}/[1+2δ sin² θ_(a)]  (equation 7)

In view of the energy alignment equation (equation 2) and the value of the acoustic speeds and optical indices of calomel, the product (f.λ) is solely a function of θ₀.

In the example depicted in FIG. 2, the variation of the product (f.λ) as a function of θ₀ in the case of the so-called “low frequency” solution, that is to say for the smaller of the vectors K, gives, at the maximum diffraction efficiency (θ₀=52°), a product (f.λ) of 103.22 m/s, that is acoustic frequencies lying between 5 and 20 MHz for optical wavelengths lying between 5 and 20 μm.

In the example depicted in FIG. 3, the variation of the product (f.λ) as a function of θ₀ in the case of the so-called “high frequency” solution, that is to say for the larger of the vectors K, gives, at the maximum diffraction efficiency (θ₀=52°), a product (f.λ) of 1192.65 m/s, that is acoustic frequencies lying between 60 and 240 MHz for optical wavelengths lying between 5 and 20 μm.

Moreover, the product (f.λ) passes through a minimum close to 1157.27 m/s for θ₀=60.6°, a value for which the figure of merit M₂ decreases by only 6%.

Furthermore, the angle θ_(d) made by the diffracted extraordinary optical wave vector with the axis [110] is given by:

tan θ_(d) =[k ₀ sin θ₀ +K sin θ_(a) ]/[k ₀ cos θ₀ +K cos θ_(a)]  (equation 8)

In the example depicted in FIG. 4, the angular deviations (θ_(d)−θ₀) as a function of θ₀ are given respectively in the case of the so-called “low frequency” solution (lower dial) and in the case of the so-called “high frequency” solution (upper dial), when the energy alignment condition (equation 2) is applied.

Moreover, the curve relating to the so-called “high frequency” solution shows that the angular deviation (θ_(d)−θ₀) is equal to 90° when θ₀=60.46°, a value which is very close to the value θ₀=60.6°, which corresponds to the minimum of the product (f.λ).

In the example depicted in FIG. 5, the variation of the figure of merit M₂ as a function of θ₀ for optical wavelengths lying between 5 and 20 μm reaches a maximum of 300 mm²/GW for the so-called “low frequency” solution and 440 mm²/GW for the so-called “high frequency” solution, for θ₀=52°, (θ_(a)=7.47°) and p₄₄=0.

Advantageously, this solution of 90° deviation of the diffracted extraordinary optical beam allows the construction of a very high-resolution acousto-optic filter in the infrared region.

In the example depicted in FIG. 6, an Acousto-Optic Programmable Filter structure for the infrared region involves an acousto-optic crystal depicted schematically by a rectangular trapezium TR, situated in a plane P, and which has, on the small side perpendicular to the base of said rectangular trapezium TR, an input face Fe on which there is applied at a point 0 ₁, perpendicularly to said input face Fe, an incident optical beam O_(i), polarised perpendicularly to the plane P containing said rectangular trapezium TR; the incident optical beam O_(i) and the corresponding wave vector k_(o) are collinear with an axis Δ, passing through the point 0 ₁ and consequently parallel to the base of said rectangular trapezium TR; said axis Δ cuts the small side oblique to the base of said rectangular trapezium at the point 0 ₂.

A transducer T, situated on the small side oblique to the base of said rectangular trapezium TR, generates a transverse acoustic beam, whereof the vibrations are perpendicular to the plane P. The corresponding wave vector K is consequently perpendicular to the aforesaid small oblique side of the rectangular trapezium TR.

The plane P, being orthonormal respectively according to 0 ₁x and 0 ₁y, the axis 0 ₁y containing the aforesaid axis Δ.

The orientation of the acousto-optic crystal is defined by its two axes [110] and [001]; in schematic depiction terms, the aforesaid axes [110] and [001] pass through the aforesaid point 0 ₁.

Thus, in view of the elements defined previously, the axis 0 ₁y makes an angle θ₀ of 60.46° with the axis [110], and the straight line Δ₁ normal to the aforesaid small side oblique to the base of the rectangular trapezium, passing through the point 0 ₂, makes an angle θ_(a) of 10.25° with the axis [110]; the axis [001], passing through the point 0 ₁, is of course perpendicular to the axis [110].

In other words, the incident ordinary optical wave vector k_(o) makes an angle θ₀ of 60.46° with the axis [110], and the acoustic wave vector K makes an angle θ_(a) of 10.25° with the same axis [110].

Under these conditions, the acoustic energy of the generated transverse wave propagates in the crystal, in the same direction as the energy of the incident optical wave, but in the opposite sense, according to the aforesaid axis Δ.

Thus, for an angle θ₀ of 60.46° and an angle θ_(a) of 10.25°, the face of the transducer is therefore inclined by −79.75° with respect to the axis [110] and the input face of the incident optical wave is therefore inclined by −29.54° with respect to the axis [110].

The incident optical beam O_(i) will be diffracted according to an extraordinary optical beam O_(d) whereof the corresponding wave vector k_(d) makes an angle close to 90° with the aforesaid wave vector k_(o); said extraordinary optical beam O_(d) will then be reflected by a reflective surface SR situated on the base of the rectangular trapezium TR, perpendicular to the plane P; thus the extraordinary optical beam O_(d) returns on itself and is re-diffracted according to a return ordinary optical beam O_(r) in a direction coincident with or close to said axis Δ, that is to say in a direction coincident with or close to the direction of said incident optical beam O_(i).

Thus the aforesaid return ordinary optical beam carries the filtering information resulting from the acousto-optic interaction performed in the birefringent crystal.

The spectral resolution of the filter is such that δλ/λ=δf/f. The resolution in terms of acoustic frequency δf depends on the duration T of the interaction time acoustic window in the crystal. For a crystal of length L:

T=L cos(θ₀−θ_(a))/V(θ_(a)) and under the conditions of 90° reflection:

θ_(o)=60.46°, θ_(a)=10.25° and V(θ_(a))=392.2 m/s and therefore T=16.3 μm/s.

For a rectangular time window, the spectral resolution function after the first diffraction and around a frequency f₀ is given by:

sin [π.(f−f₀).T/[π.(f−f₀).T]  (equation 9)

At the time of the inverse return of the light, the spectral resolution function is applied a second time, so that the overall spectral resolution function of the filter is written:

sin² [π.(f−f₀).T/[π.(f−f₀).T]²   (equation 10)

This function has a width at mid-height close to δf=0.88/T.

The spectral resolution in terms of wavelengths of the filter becomes:

δλ/λ=0.88/f.T=0.88/N,

N being the number of acoustic wavelengths contained in the length L of the crystal, that is, taking into account the value of the product (f.λ) and the value of V(θ_(a)):

δλ/λ²=4.66×10⁻⁵ /L,

L being expressed in (cm) and δλ/λ² in (μm)⁻¹. As an example, for a crystal length of 2.5 cm and a wavelength of 5 μm, the resolution δλ is equal to 0.47 nm, that is a relative resolution of the order of 1/10000. 

1. Method of spectral high-resolution acousto-optic programmable filtering in the infrared region of an incident optical wave comprising a birefringent acousto-optic crystal whereof the propagation speed of acoustic waves is slow, such as compounds of mercury, which acousto-optic crystal comprises, on one of its faces, a piezoelectric transducer designed to generate a transverse acoustic wave with wave vector whereof the energy propagates according to a same axis but in the opposite direction to the energy of said incident optical wave, wherein an optical wave, resulting from the acousto-optic interaction between said incident optical wave and said acoustic wave with wave vector, is diffracted perpendicularly or almost perpendicularly to the direction of said incident optical wave.
 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said diffracted optical wave is re-diffracted collinearly or almost collinearly with the direction of said incident optical wave after reflection on a reflective surface.
 3. Method according to claim 1, wherein said acousto-optic crystal is made of calomel, the direction of the aforesaid incident optical wave and of the energy of the aforesaid acoustic wave with wave vector making an angle close to 60° with the axis of said acousto-optic crystal.
 4. Device for implementing the method according to claim 1 intended for spectral high resolution acousto-optic programmable filtering, wherein said reflective surface is a mirror fixed to said birefringent acousto-optic crystal.
 5. Device according to claim 4, wherein said piezoelectric transducer designed to generate a transverse acoustic wave is a transducer placed on a face of the birefringent acousto-optic crystal opposite to an input face of the aforesaid incident optical wave.
 6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the normal to the plane of the aforesaid piezoelectric transducer makes an angle close to 10° with the axis of said acousto-optic crystal. 